Scale Facilitation has secured the intellectual property rights to a significant portfolio of world-leading advanced battery technology for Australia.
The first use of the portfolio has been a commitment to allow Deakin University access in order to develop the next generation of technology to solve two critical problems facing the industry.
Forming part of Deakin’s Recycling and Renewables Energy Commercialisation Hub (REACH), which secured $50 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Trailblazer Universities Program, Scale Facilitation launched Recharge Dynamics, the research and development (R&D) arm of Recharge Industries.
Recharge Industries is a portfolio company of Scale Facilitation focused on the development of large-scale advanced battery manufacturing facilities, leveraging significant intellectual property from the United States.
Its R&D arm, Recharge Dynamics, is a collaboration between research and industry partners in both Australia and the United States, as coordinated by Scale Facilitation.
Through Recharge Dynamics, Deakin University will develop next-generation solutions to real-world and emerging problems, including the development of predictive safety systems for emerging battery technology and the reduction of battery cell wastage within large scale battery production facilities.
Professor Julie Owens, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research at Deakin University says Scale Facilitation’s involvement in the project – and the fact it’s a one-stop-shop in terms of research and management – makes it feasible for the project to work, and work in a big way.
“There are many parts of the world which have the same needs as us – the same challenges. So, it’s important that we as a nation and we as a university sector are really driving that aspect of research,” she said.
Scale Facilitation Founder and Managing Partner, David Collard looks forward to harnessing the comparative advantages of Australia and its allies and the impact it will have on creating and securing supply chains.
Together, Australia and the United States can take the first step in generating mutually-beneficial technology transfers and fostering innovation in both countries,” said Mr Collard.
“By identifying and supporting the world-class R&D coming out of Australia, Scale Facilitation is creating an R&D pipeline but importantly providing commercialisation opportunities for Australian research and industry partners.
“This is a crucial move for universities, particularly with international student numbers down from pre-pandemic, many elite researchers taking their work overseas, and universities actively pursuing alternate revenue streams.”
Recharge Industries will utilise a $10 million allocation of the $50 million awarded under the Australian Federal Government’s Trailblazer University Program to secure energy stability and sovereign capability, provide ongoing commercialisation opportunities for research and industry partners, and facilitate direct, indirect, and induced job growth now and into the future.
The overall REACH initiative is projected to drive significant innovation and job creation in Geelong, Western Victoria and beyond. The research-industry partnership is expected to generate more than $1.4 billion in revenue and 2,500 jobs in the next decade.